Women's Basketball Falls At Ashland 77-60 In GLIAC Tournament Quarterfinals

ASHLAND, OHIO – The Northwood University women's basketball team saw its 2014-15 season come to an end with a 77-60 loss at Ashland Wednesday night (March 4) in the GLIAC Tournament Quarterfinals.

Northwood ends the year 18-11 overall, matching the 2007-08 team for the most wins for the Timberwolves at the Division II level. Ashland advances to the semi-finals with a 22-7 record.

Northwood was the better team in the opening half, opening up a lead that grew to as many as 13. The Timberwolves were up 33-20 with under five minutes remaining when Ashland went on a run. The Eagles threw in a 3-pointerat the buzzer to cut the NU advantage down to 36-34 at the break.  The Timberwolves shot 40.0 percent in the half (12-30) compared to Ashland at 34.4 percent (11-32).

The Eagles dominated the second half on both ends of the floor. Ashland shot 63.0 percent from the floor (17-27) while holding Northwood to 27.6 percent (8-29). The Eagles led by as many as 15, but Northwood fought back to cut the lead down to 66-60 with under 4:17 remaining in the game. But the Timberwolves were held scoreless the rest of the way – Ashland scored the final 11 points  of the game to earn the win.

For the game, Northwood finished at 33.9 percent from the floor (20-59) while Ashland shot 47.5 percent (28-59). NU struggled from beyond the arc, making just six of 27 attempts (22.2 percent).

Three Timberwolves finished in double figures, led by senior Sarah Susan (Grand Rapids, Mich./Byron Center). She finished with 18 points and seven rebounds. Emily Kutch (Freeport, Mich./Lakewood) added 12 points, while Gabrielle Rivette (Fenton, Mich.) added 11.

Five Northwood seniors saw their careers come to an end in the game – Susan, Rivette, Jade Ledy (Marquette, Mich.), Kaitlin Susan (Grand Rapids, Mich./Byron Center) and Aleigha Wylie (Hemlock, Mich./Midland).